Assessing Mobile Phone Repairability via EU Energy Label: Insight into Repair Capabilities
Smartphones and Tablets Get an Energy Label: What You Need to Know
Brussels - Got a broken phone? Don't toss it just yet—it might be fixable! But how easy is that, really? Starting from this Friday, new EU energy labels will be slapped on smartphones and tablets, making it easier for consumers to estimate a device's durability and repair-friendliness before buying. Here's a lowdown on what's changing:
What's on the energy label?
Smartphones and tablets unpacking in the EU starting Friday will carry a new energy label. This nifty label tells you how energy-efficient a device is, just like labels on dishwashers and fridges. The European energy efficiency scale ranges from dark green A for the most energy-efficient products to red G for the less efficient ones.
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Beyond energy efficiency, the label also reveals the battery life after a full charge (in hours and minutes) and the number of charge cycles the battery can handle before it only retains 80% of its original capacity. The device's resistance to drops and easiness to repair gets rated on scales from A to E. A higher class indicates a more robust device that's easier to repair.
Since you're tech-savvy, you might also care about how protected your device is against dust and moisture. The label's got you covered there, too, rating dust protection on a scale from 0 to 6 and moisture resistance on a scale from 0 to 8. A device with a protection rating of "68" is the most dust and water-resistant.
Where can I find the energy label?
Retailers and manufacturers have to put the label in a visible spot—whether online or in stores. The German Environmental Aid will be patrolling retail stores to ensure compliance with these regulations.
Does the label tell me how much repairs cost?
Nope. As a spokesperson from the European consumer protection organization Beuc explained, "The easier it is to disassemble a product and find replacement parts, the higher the repair class." However, the cost of replacement parts and repair services isn't factored into the final score. A device with an A repair class doesn't necessarily mean cheaper repairs.
Will devices improve?
You bet! Somewhere under the hood, manufacturers are facing new “ecodesign” requirements. They're tasked with making smartphones and tablets more resilient and batteries more durable. Moreover, for seven years after a purchase, manufacturers must provide crucial spare parts like screens, batteries, and camera modules within five to ten business days. They'll also have to offer software updates for at least five years.
What's the point of these changes?
The European Commission says the energy label empowers consumers to make more informed and sustainable purchasing decisions. By comparing devices before buying, smarter choices can be made. The new requirements are also projected to save a whopping amount of CO2 and electricity.
Beuc, the consumer protection organization, liked the energy label's practical information: "The energy label helps consumers make the most eco-friendly choices."
The German Environmental Aid (DUH) welcomed the changes but called for stretching the regulations to cover all electrical devices. Barbara Metz, DUH's Federal Director, remarked, "The new rules for smartphones and such are a significant leap towards eco-friendly products and improved consumer information. But what about all the other electrical devices? The annual electronic waste from short-lived and repair-unfriendly devices just keeps growing."
Will laptops also get an energy label?
Yes, they will! Experts at the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration predict that a comparable label for laptops will be introduced in 2028. So keep your eyes peeled, laptop aficionados!
- Starting from this Friday, the energy labels on smartphones and tablets will not only indicate their energy efficiency but also provide information about their battery life and resistance to drops, making it easier for consumers to assess a device's durability and repair-friendliness.
- Beyond energy efficiency, the new EU energy labels will reveal the device's resistance to drops, easiness to repair, and protection against dust and moisture, helping tech-savvy consumers make eco-friendly choices.
